Printed circuit board unit display apparatus and method of manufacturing the display apparatus

ABSTRACT

Provided is a method of manufacturing a display apparatus. The method includes: preparing a printed circuit board including a first printed circuit unit and a second printed circuit unit; providing, on the printed circuit board, a connection member electrically connecting the first printed circuit unit to the second printed circuit unit; coupling one end of a tape carrier package to the printed circuit board; coupling the other end of the tape carrier package to a display panel; and cutting the printed circuit board into the first printed circuit unit and the second printed circuit unit that move relative to each other.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/984,338 filed on Dec. 30, 2015, which claims priority under35 U.S.C. § 119 of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0006709, filedon Jan. 14, 2015, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporatedby reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure herein relates to a printed circuit board, adisplay apparatus, and a method of manufacturing the display apparatus,and more particularly, to an easily manufacturable printed circuitboard, a display apparatus, and a method of manufacturing the displayapparatus.

A display apparatus includes a display panel, a printed circuit boarddriving the display panel, a tape carrier package (TCP) electricallyconnecting the display panel and the printed circuit board. Generally,the tape carrier package is attached to the printed circuit board, andthen a curvature is formed on the printed circuit board. When thedisplay panel or the printed circuit board has a curvature, the tapecarrier packages receive different stresses, different tensions, or thelike depending on how and where the TCP is attached to the display panelor the printed circuit board. If the printed circuit board does not haveenough elasticity to withstand the stresses, tensions, or the like, thetape carrier packages receive force from both ends of the printedcircuit board, resulting in increased gaps between the tape carrierpackages may be increased. As a consequence, a failure/defect may begenerated in the display apparatus.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides an easily manufacturable printed circuitboard, a display apparatus, and a method of manufacturing the displayapparatus.

Embodiments of the inventive concept provide methods of manufacturing adisplay apparatus, the methods including: preparing a printed circuitboard comprising a first region, a second region, and a third regionwherein the second region is between the first region and the thirdregion, the first region including a first printed circuit unit, thethird region including a second printed circuit unit, and the secondregion having an opening; providing, on the printed circuit board, aconnection member electrically connecting the first printed circuit unitand the second printed circuit unit; coupling the other end of the tapecarrier package to a display panel; and cutting the second region todivide the printed circuit board into the first printed circuit unit andthe second printed circuit unit.

The methods may further include bending the display panel in a firstdirection, wherein the first region, the second region, and the thirdregion are arranged in the first direction.

The methods may further include forming one or more holes in the secondregion, wherein the second region on which the holes are formed is cutto divide the printed circuit board into the first printed circuit unitand the second printed circuit unit.

The connection member may be provided on the printed circuit board tocover at least part of the opening.

The connection member may include a first coupling part, a secondcoupling part, and a connection part connecting the first coupling partto the second coupling part, and the providing of the connection membermay include: bending a boundary between the first coupling part and theconnection part; bending a boundary between the second coupling part andthe connection part; electrically connecting the first coupling part tothe first printed circuit unit; and electrically connecting the secondcoupling part to the second printed circuit unit.

The connection member may include a first coupling part, a secondcoupling part, and a connection part connecting the first coupling partto the second coupling part without covering the opening, and theproviding of the connection member may include: electrically connectingthe first coupling part to the first printed circuit unit; andelectrically connecting the second coupling part to the second printedcircuit unit.

One side of the connection part has a bent portion in plan view, the oneside of the connection part facing the opening.

After the tape carrier package is attached to the display panel, theprinted circuit board may be divided into the first printed circuit unitand the second printed circuit unit, and after the printed circuit boardis divided into the first printed circuit unit and the second printedcircuit unit, the display panel may be curved in a first direction.

In other embodiments of the inventive concept, printed circuit boardunits include: a first printed circuit unit; a second printed circuitunit electrically connected to the first printed circuit unit; anopening defined between the first printed circuit unit and the a secondprinted circuit unit; and a connection member coupled to each of thefirst printed circuit unit and the second printed circuit unit toelectrically connect the first printed circuit unit and the secondprinted circuit unit.

The printed circuit board units may further include one or more holesdefined between the first printed circuit unit and the second printedcircuit unit.

The connection member may cover the opening and electrically connect thefirst printed circuit unit and the second printed circuit unit.

The connection member may include: a first coupling part coupled to thefirst printed circuit unit; a second coupling part coupled to the secondprinted circuit unit; and a connection part connecting the firstcoupling part to the second coupling part and covering the opening,wherein the first coupling part meets the connection part at a bentportion, the second coupling part meets the connection part at a bentportion.

The connection part may include one or more surfaces joined at an angle.

The connection member may include: a first coupling part coupled to thefirst printed circuit unit; a second coupling part coupled to the secondprinted circuit unit; and a connection part connecting the firstcoupling part to the second coupling part by extending around theopening.

One side of the connection part that faces the opening has a bentportion.

In still other embodiments of the inventive concept, display apparatusesinclude: a display panel displaying an image and curved in a firstdirection to have a curvature; a printed circuit board comprising afirst printed circuit unit electrically connected to the display panel,a second printed circuit unit electrically connected to the displaypanel, and an opening defined between the first printed circuit unit andthe second printed circuit unit; and a connection member electricallyconnecting the first printed circuit unit and the second printed circuitunit while allowing the first printed circuit unit to move relative tothe second printed circuit unit, wherein the connection member adapts tothe positions of the first printed circuit unit and the second printedcircuit unit.

The connection member may include: a first coupling part coupled to thefirst printed circuit unit; a second coupling part coupled to the secondprinted circuit unit; and a connection part connecting the firstcoupling part to the second coupling part.

The connection member may cover the opening, and the first coupling partjoins the connection part to form a bent portion, and the secondcoupling part joins the connection part to form a bent portion.

The relative positions of first printed circuit unit and the secondprinted circuit unit may change according to the curvature.

The connection part extends around the opening, and the side of theconnection part facing the opening has a bent portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the inventive concept, and are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrateexemplary embodiments of the inventive concept and, together with thedescription, serve to explain principles of the inventive concept. Inthe drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a display apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 2 is a schematic plain view illustrating a printed circuit boardaccording to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 3 is a schematic plain view illustrating a printed circuit boardunit according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a printed circuitboard unit illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a printed circuitboard unit according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 6 is a schematic plain view illustrating a printed circuit boardunit according to an embodiment of the inventive concept; and

FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematic views illustrating a method of manufacturinga display apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the inventive concept will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.Objects, features, and effects of the inventive concept will beclarified through following embodiments related to the accompanyingdrawings. The inventive concept may, however, be embodied in differentforms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments setforth herein. Embodiments of the inventive concept, which will bedescribed later, are provided so that this disclosure will be thoroughand complete, and will fully convey the concept of the invention conceptto those skilled in the art. Therefore, the inventive concept should notbe construed as being limited to the embodiments as will be describedlater. Meanwhile, like reference numerals refer to like elementsthroughout.

Also, throughout the specification, terms such as “first”, “second” andthe like were not used to limit the meaning or the scope of theinventive concept, but merely used to differentiate one member fromanother one. In the description, it will be understood that when a film,a region, or an elements is referred to as being “above” or “on” anotherelement, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elementsmay also be present.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a display apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

Referring to FIG. 1, a display apparatus 100 may include a display panel110, a printed circuit board 200, tape carrier packages TCP, and aconnection member 300.

The display panel 110 may display an image. The display panel 110 may beany one of a liquid crystal display panel, an electro wetting displaypanel, an electrophoretic display panel, a micro electro mechanicalsystem (MEMS) display panel, and an organic light emitting displaypanel. In the present embodiment, the liquid crystal display panel willbe described as an example, but the inventive concept is not limitedthereto.

When the display panel 110 is a liquid crystal display panel, thedisplay apparatus 100 may further include a backlight unit (not shown)supplying light to the display panel 110. The back light unit mayinclude a light-emitting diode emitting light to be supplied to thedisplay panel 110, optical sheets diffusing light, a bottom chassisaccommodating the light-emitting diode and the optical sheets, and thelike.

The display panel 110 may be in the shape of a rectangular plate thathas two pairs of sides. In the present embodiment, the display panel 110may have a rectangular shape that has a pair of long sides and a pair ofshort sides. The display panel 110 may include a lower substrate 111, anupper substrate 112 opposed to the lower substrate 111, and a liquidcrystal layer (not shown) interposed between the lower substrate 111 andthe upper substrate 112. The display panel 110 may have a display regionon which an image is displayed; and a non-display region surrounding thedisplay region, and on which an image is not displayed when viewed in aplan view.

A plurality of pixels are provided on the lower substrate 111 in amatrix configuration. In addition, each of the plurality of the pixelsmay include a gate line (not shown), a data line (not shown) insulatedfrom the gate line and intersecting with the gate line, and a pixelelectrode (not shown). Also, a thin film transistor (not shown) isprovided to each pixel, and may be electrically connected to the gateline, the data line, and the pixel electrode.

An RGB (red, green, and blue) pixel that is a color pixel and a commonelectrode (not shown) opposed to the pixel electrode may be formed onthe upper substrate 112. In another embodiment, the color pixel and thecommon electrode may be provided on the lower substrate 111. Liquidcrystal molecules constituting the liquid crystal layer are alignedaccording to the intensity of electric field formed between the pixelelectrode and the common electrode, and thus may adjust transmittance oflight supplied from the backlight unit to display desired gradation.

The display panel 110 may be flexible. The display panel 110 may have ashape curved in a first direction DR1. For example, the display panel110 may be convex or concave in a thickness direction.

The printed circuit board 200 may be electrically connected to thedisplay panel 110. For example, the printed circuit board 200 may beconnected to at least one side of the lower substrate 111 in plan view.

The printed circuit board 200 may generate a data signal applied to adata line of the display panel 110. The printed circuit board 200 may beelectrically connected to the display panel 110 through at least onetape carrier package TCP. A data driving chip (not shown) may be mountedon the tape carrier package TCP.

The lower substrate 111 may include a gate driving chip (not shown)provided to at least one side and another side thereof to apply a gatesignal to the gate line. The gate driving chip may be mounted on thelower substrate 111 through a chip on glass process. Unlike the presentembodiment, in another embodiment, the gate driving chip may be providedas a gate driving circuit applying a gate signal. In the case, the gatedriving circuit may be formed on another side of the lower substrate 111through a thin film process of forming the display panel 110. Therefore,the gate driving circuit may be provided in the display panel 110.

The printed circuit board 200 may include a first printed circuit unitPC1 and a second printed circuit unit PC2. The first printed circuitunit PC1 and the second printed circuit unit PC2 may be electricallyconnected to each other by the connection member 300.

When the display panel 110 is curved in the first direction DR1, theprinted circuit board 200 receives force from both ends of the displaypanel 110. According to the present embodiment, a gap between the firstprinted circuit unit PC1 and the second printed circuit unit PC2 may beincreased corresponding to the force received from the both ends of bothends of the display panel 110. In this case, a shape of the connectionmember 300 may be deformed corresponding to the gap between the firstprinted circuit unit PC1 and the second printed circuit unit PC2.Therefore, a failure in which the printed circuit board 200 and thedisplay panel 110 are separated from each other may be prevented.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view illustrating a printed circuit boardaccording to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

Referring to FIG. 2, the printed circuit board 200 may include a firstregion AR1, a second region AR2, and a third region AR3. The firstregion AR1 and the third region AR3 may face each other with the secondregion AR2 in-between. For example, the first region AR1, the secondregion AR2, and the third region AR3 may be sequentially disposed in thefirst direction DR1.

An opening OP and a hole HL may be defined in the second region AR2. Theopening OP may be defined by opening one side of the second region AR2when viewed in a plan view, and the hole HL may be defined between theother side of the second region AR2 and the opening OP. The one side andthe other side of the second region AR2 may be spaced from each other inthe second direction DR2 intersecting with the first direction DR1. Inthe present embodiment, the hole HL may be provided in plurality, and inthis case, the holes HL may be arranged in the second direction DR2. Theopening OP may extend about halfway into the thickness of the PCB,although this is not a limitation.

The printed circuit board 200 may be divided into a first printedcircuit unit PC1 including the first region AR1 and a second printedcircuit unit PC2 including the third region AR3 during a subsequentprocess of manufacturing the display apparatus 100. The first printedcircuit unit PC1 may include the first region AR1 and a portion of thesecond region AR2 adjacent to the first region AR1, and the secondprinted circuit unit PC2 may include the third region AR3 and a portionof the second region AR2 adjacent to the third region AR3.

The first printed circuit unit PC1 and the second printed circuit unitPC2 may be more easily separated due to the presence of the opening OP.Also, the holes HL may help identify an area that includes a line ofdemarcation between the first printed circuit unit PC1 and the secondprinted circuit unit PC2.

The printed circuit board 200 may be formed through an injection moldingprocess. For example, the printed circuit board 200 in which the openingOP and the holes HL are formed may be formed through a single injectionmolding process. Unlike the present embodiment, in another embodiment ofthe inventive concept, the holes HL may be formed by using a punchingprocess on a circuit substrate (not shown) in which the opening OP isformed. As a result, the printed circuit board 200 may be formed. Inanother embodiment of the inventive concept, a rectangular circuit board(not shown) is prepared, and then the opening OP and the holes HL may beformed through a cutting process and the punching process.

The present embodiment shows that a shape of the opening OP is arectangular shape in plan view, but the inventive concept is not limitedthereto. For example, in another embodiment of the inventive concept,the opening OP may have various shapes such as an arch, or a triangle inplan view.

Also, the present embodiment shows that the holes HL are in the shape ofa circle, and the holes HL are all opened in a thickness direction ofthe printed circuit board 200, but the inventive concept is not limitedthereto. For example, in another embodiment of the inventive concept,the holes HL may have a polygonal shape. In another embodiment, theholes HL may have a wedge shape. Also, in another embodiment of theinventive concept, the holes HL may be omitted. In this case, a guideline such as a solid line or a dotted line may be printed instead of theholes HL. Also, in another embodiment of the inventive concept, theholes HL may be defined on a boundary between the first region AR1 andthe second region AR2, and on a boundary between the second region AR2and the third region AR3.

In the present embodiment, while it is described that the printedcircuit board 200 is divided into the first printed circuit unit PC1 andthe second printed circuit unit PC2, the inventive concept is notlimited thereto. In another embodiment of the inventive concept, theprinted circuit board 200 may have two or more openings (not shown), andin this case, the printed circuit board 200 may be divided into two ormore parts. For example, when the printed circuit board (not shown) hastwo openings (not shown), the printed circuit board may be divided intoa first printed circuit unit, a second printed circuit unit, and a thirdprinted circuit unit.

The number of regions into which the printed circuit board 200 isdivided may vary according to a size of the display panel (110 of FIG.1), a curved curvature radius of the display panel (110 of FIG. 1), andthe like. For example, as the size of the display panel (110 of FIG. 1)increases or the curvature radius of the display panel (110 of FIG. 1)decreases, the number of regions into which the printed circuit board200 is divided may increase. As the printed circuit units are able tomove independently of each other within a limited range, the moreseparate units there are, a more severe curvature can be accommodated.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view illustrating a printed circuit boardunit according to an embodiment of the inventive concept, and FIG. 4 isa schematic perspective view illustrating a printed circuit board unitillustrated in FIG. 3. In describing FIGS. 3 and 4, the same referencenumbers are given to denote the same constituent elements as thosedescribed with reference to FIG. 2, and the description thereof will notbe repeated.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a printed circuit board unit PCB-U1 mayinclude a printed circuit board 200, a connection member 300, and a tapecarrier package TCP. The printed circuit board 200 may include a firstprinted circuit unit PC1, a second printed circuit unit PC2, and anopening OP. The opening OP may be defined between the first printedcircuit unit PC1 and the second printed circuit unit PC2.

The tape carrier package TCP may be a film material having flexibilityand elasticity that allows for easy curving. In the present embodiment,the tape carrier package TCP may be provided in plurality. For example,the number of the tape carrier packages TCP may be two, three, four, ora plurality of four or more. A metal wiring (not shown) may be disposedon the tape carrier package TCP transferring an electrical signal. Also,a driving chip (not shown) is electrically connected to the metal wiringand may be disposed on the tape carrier package TCP.

The tape carrier package TCP may electrically connect the printedcircuit board 200 and the display panel (110 of FIG. 1). A bonding pad(not shown) to which the tape carrier package TCP is electricallyconnected may be disposed on the printed circuit board 200. In thepresent embodiment, the tape carrier package TCP and the printed circuitboard 200 may be connected through an anisotropic conductive film, butthe inventive concept is not limited thereto.

In the present embodiment, the connection member 300 covers the openingOP, and may electrically connect the first printed circuit unit PC1 tothe second printed circuit unit PC2. The connection member 300 mayinclude a first coupling part 301, a second coupling part 302, and aconnection part 303. The connection member 300 may be a film havingflexibility and elasticity. Unlike the present embodiment, in anotherembodiment of the inventive concept, the connection member 300 may be acable. In this case, a connector (not shown) may be disposed on each ofthe first printed circuit unit PC1 and the second printed circuit unitPC2 so as to be coupled to the connection member 300.

In the present embodiment, the connection member 300 may include firstto fourth bent portions 301 a, 302 a, 303 a, and 303 b. In theparticular embodiment, the connection part 303 includes a surface thatis substantially parallel to the first and second coupling parts 301,302 and two surfaces that connect to that parallel surface at angles 303a and 303 b. The first bent portion 301 a may be defined by the anglebetween the first coupling part 301 and the connection part 303, and thesecond bent portion 302 a may be defined between the second couplingpart 302 and the connection part 303. The third bent portion 303 a andthe fourth bent portion 303 b may be defined in the connection part 303,as mentioned above.

A length in the first direction DR1 of the flexible connection member300 may be greater than a width in the first direction DR1 of theopening OP. Therefore, even when a gap between the first printed circuitunit PC1 and the second printed circuit unit PC2 is increased duringmanufacturing the display apparatus (100 of FIG. 1), the first printedcircuit unit PC1 and the second printed circuit unit PC2 may beelectrically connected by the connection member 300.

Since the connection member 300 has flexibility, the first coupling part301 and the second coupling part 302 may be lifted from the printedcircuit board 200. However, according to the present embodiment, theconnection member 300 may be prevented from being lifted from each ofthe first printed circuit unit PC1 and the second printed circuit unitPC2 by the first bent portion 301 a and the second bent portion 302 a.

According to the present embodiment, the first coupling part 301 and thesecond coupling part 302 may be in parallel to attachment surfaces ofthe printed circuit board 200 by the first bent portion 301 a and thesecond bent portion 302 a. Therefore, alignments of the first couplingpart 301 and the second coupling part 302 may be easier.

Also, an unexpected warping or bending of the connection member 300 maybe prevented by the first to fourth bent portions 301 a, 302 a, 303 a,and 303 b. Therefore, the connection member 300 electrically connectingthe first printed circuit unit PC1 and the second printed circuit unitPC2 may be prevented from being broken.

The first printed circuit unit PC1 and the first coupling part 301 maybe electrically connected by an anisotropic conductive film (not shown).In addition, the second printed circuit unit PC2 and the second couplingpart 302 may be electrically connected by the anisotropic conductivefilm. In the present embodiment, the anisotropic conductive film mayinclude fine conductive particles such as nickel, carbon, or leadparticles, and an insulating adhesive. Therefore, according to thepresent embodiment, the connector or the like for coupling the firstprinted circuit unit PC1 and the first coupling part 301 may be omitted,which results in reducing process costs and reducing assembly time.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a printed circuitboard unit according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. Indescribing FIG. 5, the same reference numbers are given to denote thesame constituent elements as those described with reference to FIGS. 3and 4, and a description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 5, a printed circuit board unit PCB-U2 may include afirst printed circuit unit PC1, a second printed circuit unit PC2, aconnection member 310, and a tape carrier package TCP. The connectionmember 310 may include a first coupling part 311, a second coupling part312, and a connection part 313. The connection part 313 meets the firstcoupling part 311 to form a first bent portion 311 a. The secondcoupling part 312 and the connection part 313 come together to form asecond bent portion 312 a. The connection part 313 includes two surfacesthat come together to form a third bent portion 313 a.

The connection part 313 may connect the first coupling part 311 to thesecond coupling part 312. The first bent portion 311 a may be definedbetween the connection part 313 and the first coupling part 311, and thesecond bent portion 312 a may be defined between the connection part 313and the second coupling part 312. The third bent portion 313 a may bedefined in the connection part 313.

According to the present embodiment, each of the first bent portion 311a and the second bent portion 312 a may be bent downward, extending intothe opening OP. Therefore, the connection part 313 is accommodated inthe opening OP and may cover the opening OP. For example, when the firstcoupling part 311 and the second coupling part 312 are press-attached byusing an isotropic conductive film, the connection part 313 may protrudein a pressing direction to be bent. Therefore, the press-attachments ofthe first coupling part 311 and the second coupling part 312 may not behindered by the connection part 313. As a result, processes of couplingthe first coupling part 311 and the first printed circuit unit PC1, andthe second coupling part 312 and the second printed circuit unit PC2 maybe more easily performed.

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view illustrating a printed circuit boardunit according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. In describingFIG. 6, the same reference numbers are given to denote the sameconstituent elements as those described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4,and a description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 6, a printed circuit board unit PCB-U3 may include afirst printed circuit unit PC1, a second printed circuit unit PC2, aconnection member 320, and a tape carrier package TCP. The connectionmember 320 may include a first coupling part 321, a second coupling part322, and a connection part 323.

In the present embodiment, the first coupling part 321 and the secondcoupling part 322 may be electrically connected to the first printedcircuit unit PC1 and the second printed circuit unit PC2, respectively.The connection part 323 may connect the first coupling part 321 to thesecond coupling part 322. Therefore, the connection part 323 does notcover the opening OP but extends off the edges of the first and secondprinted circuit units PC1, PC2 in the second direction DR2 in plan view.

A bent portion 323 a may be defined on one side of the connection part323 facing the opening OP in plan view. After the first printed circuitunit PC1 and the second printed circuit unit PC2 are divided during asubsequent process of manufacturing the display apparatus (100 of FIG.1), when the display panel (110 of FIG. 1) is curved in the firstdirection DR1, the bent portion 323 a may be curved or rounded.Therefore, a shape of the connection member 320, which corresponds tothe gap between the first printed circuit unit PC1 and the secondprinted circuit unit PC2, may be easily deformed.

The first coupling part 321 and the second coupling part 322 extend inthe first direction DR1 and may be respectively connected to the firstprinted circuit unit PC1 and the second printed circuit unit PC2.According to the present embodiment, the first coupling part 321 and thesecond coupling part 322 may be attached to the sides of the first andsecond printed circuit units PC1, PC2 that are opposite the sides towhich the tape carrier package TCP is attached. Therefore, since widthsin the second direction of the first coupling part 321 and the secondcoupling part 322 are decreased, lengths in the second direction DR2 ofthe first printed circuit unit PC1 and the second printed circuit unitPC2 may be decreased. As a result, manufacturing costs of the printedcircuit board unit PCB-U3 may be reduced.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematic views illustrating a method of manufacturinga display apparatus. In describing FIG. 7, the same reference numbersare given to denote the same constituent elements as those describedwith reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, and any repetitive description thereofwill be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a first end of a tape carrier package iscoupled to the display panel 110. The present embodiment shows thatafter a second end of the tape carrier package TCP is coupled to aprinted circuit board 200, the display panel 110 and the first end ofthe tape carrier package TCP are coupled, but the inventive concept isnot limited to this sequence of steps. For example, in anotherembodiment of the inventive concept, after the first end of the tapecarrier package TCP is coupled to the display panel 110, the second endof the tape carrier package TCP may be coupled to the printed circuitboard 200. In another embodiment of the inventive concept, the first endof the tape carrier package TCP may be coupled to the display panel 110at the same time that the second end of the tape carrier package TCP iscoupled to the printed circuit board 200.

According to the present embodiment, a single printed circuit board 200may be electrically connected to the display panel 110 before beingseparated into the first and second printed circuit units PC1, PC2 Thisway, the tape carrier packages TCP may be more easily aligned.

After the tape carrier package TCP and the display panel 110 arecoupled, the printed circuit board 200 may be cut along holes HL definedon a second region (AR2 of FIG. 2). The printed circuit board 200 may becut by using a blade, a laser, scissors, and the like.

After the printed circuit board 200 is cut and divided into the firstprinted circuit unit PC1 and the second printed circuit unit PC2, thedisplay panel 110 may be curved in the first direction DR1. That is,according to the present embodiment, the printed circuit board 200 isdivided before the display panel 110 is curved. Since the printedcircuit board 200 is divided, any bending of the printed circuit board200 caused by a curving of the display panel 110 is reduced, due to adecrease in stress applied to the printed circuit board 200. As aresult, cracking of components mounted on the printed circuit board 200may be avoided.

Also, the gap between the first printed circuit unit PC1 and the secondprinted circuit unit PC2 may be varied according to a curvature of thedisplay panel 110. The shape of the connection member 300 may be bent ordeformed corresponding to the gap between the first printed circuit unitPC1 and the second printed circuit unit PC2. Therefore, the gap betweenthe first printed circuit unit PC1 and the second printed circuit unitPC2 may be varied corresponding to gap variations between the tapecarrier packages according to the curvature variation of the displaypanel 110. As a result, an electric connection of the printed circuitboard 200 and the display panel 110 may be prevented from being broken,which results in preventing failures of the display apparatus (100 ofFIG. 1).

In a display apparatus manufacturing method according to an embodimentof the inventive concept, after a single printed circuit board 200 isattached to the display panel 110, the printed circuit board 200 isdivided into the first printed circuit unit PC1 and the second printedcircuit unit PC2. Therefore, the printed circuit board 200 and thedisplay panel 110 may be easily aligned, and a process of electricallyconnecting the printed circuit board 200 and the display panel 110 maybe more easily performed. Also, before the display panel 110 is curvedin the first direction DR1, the printed circuit board 200 is dividedinto the first printed circuit unit PC1 and the second printed circuitunit PC2. Therefore, the stress applied to the printed circuit board 200from curving of the display panel 110 may be reduced, and accordingly,failures generated in components mounted on the printed circuit board200 and the tape carrier package TCP connecting the printed circuitboard 200 and the display panel 110 may be decreased or prevented.Furthermore, since the shape of the connection member 300 is deformedcorresponding to a gap variation between the first printed circuit unitPC1 and the second printed circuit unit PC2, the gap between the firstprinted circuit unit PC1 and the second printed circuit unit PC2 may beeasily increased corresponding to the curvature radius of the displaypanel 110.

According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, since after asingle printed circuit board is attached to a display panel, and theprinted circuit board is divided into a first printed circuit unit and asecond printed circuit unit, a process of connecting the printed circuitboard and the display panel may be easily performed. Also, since theprinted circuit board is divided into the first printed circuit unit andthe second printed circuit unit before the display panel is curved, thedamages of the printed circuit board and the carrier package accordingto a curving of the display panel may be prevented.

Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the inventive concept, ashape of a connection member connecting the first printed circuit unitand the second printed circuit unit is deformed according to a curvatureof the display panel, so that a gap between the first printed circuitunit and the second printed circuit unit may be easily increased.Therefore, a failure in which the printed circuit board and the displaypanel are separated from each other may be prevented.

While the inventive concept has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understoodby those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form anddetails may be made therein without departing from the substantialfeatures of the embodiments. For example, each element specificallyappearing in the embodiment may be carried out through a modification.All differences related in the modification and application thereof willbe construed as being included within the scope of the invention asdefined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A printed circuit board unit comprising: a firstprinted circuit unit; a second printed circuit unit electricallyconnected to the first printed circuit unit; an opening defined betweenthe first printed circuit unit and the second printed circuit unit; anda connection member coupled to each of the first printed circuit unitand the second printed circuit unit to electrically connect the firstprinted circuit unit and the second printed circuit unit.
 2. The printedcircuit board unit of claim 1, further comprising one or more holesdefined between the first printed circuit unit and the second printedcircuit unit.
 3. The printed circuit board unit of claim 1, wherein theconnection member covers the opening and electrically connects the firstprinted circuit unit and the second printed circuit unit.
 4. The printedcircuit board unit of claim 3, wherein the connection member comprises:a first coupling part coupled to the first printed circuit unit; asecond coupling part coupled to the second printed circuit unit; and aconnection part connecting the first coupling part to the secondcoupling part and covering the opening, wherein the first coupling partmeets the connection part at a bent portion, and the second couplingpart meets the connection part at a bent portion.
 5. The printed circuitboard unit of claim 4, wherein the connection part comprises one or moresurfaces joined at an angle.
 6. The printed circuit board unit of claim1, wherein the connection member comprises: a first coupling partcoupled to the first printed circuit unit; a second coupling partcoupled to the second printed circuit unit; and a connection partconnecting the first coupling part to the second coupling part byextending around the opening.
 7. The printed circuit board unit of claim6, wherein one side of the connection part that faces the opening has abent portion.
 8. A display apparatus comprising: a display paneldisplaying an image and curved in a first direction to have a curvature;a printed circuit board comprising a first printed circuit unitelectrically connected to the display panel, a second printed circuitunit electrically connected to the display panel, and an opening definedbetween the first printed circuit unit and the second printed circuitunit; and a connection member electrically connecting the first printedcircuit unit and the second printed circuit unit while allowing thefirst printed circuit unit to move relative to the second printedcircuit unit, wherein the connection member adapts to the positions ofthe first printed circuit unit and the second printed circuit unit. 9.The display apparatus of claim 8, wherein the connection membercomprises: a first coupling part coupled to the first printed circuitunit; a second coupling part coupled to the second printed circuit unit;and a connection part connecting the first coupling part to the secondcoupling part.
 10. The display apparatus of claim 9, wherein theconnection member covers the opening, and the first coupling part joinsthe connection part to form a bent portion, and the second coupling partjoins the connection part to form a bent portion.
 11. The displayapparatus of claim 8, wherein the relative positions of first printedcircuit unit and the second printed circuit unit change according to thecurvature.
 12. The display apparatus of claim 9, wherein the connectionpart extends around the opening, and the side of the connection partfacing the opening has a bent portion.